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International Services Office
Office for Global Engagement

Changing Your Immigration Status (COS)

If you’re in the US with a valid visa and you want to start a new program or activity that requires a different visa, you may need to change your visa type. This process is called Change of Status (COS). It usually takes the government between three and five months to process COS applications.

Each visa category has different requirements and permissions. Make sure you’re eligible for a new visa category before you start the COS process.

Changing status within the United States can be complicated, and is not recommended without careful guidance from ISO. All Change of Status applicants are encouraged to contact an ISO advisor as early as possible in the process. Reach out to discuss your individual circumstances.

Ways to get a new nonimmigrant visa

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. ISO can recommend one method over the other based on your specific situation.

Option one: Travel outside the US

One option is to travel outside the US and get a new visa stamp from a US embassy or consulate. Then, return to the US with your new visa.

  • Follow the same steps as if you were applying for a new visa for the first time.
  • Get the necessary forms and documents for your new visa type, including a certificate of eligibility from the University and any other supporting evidence you need.
  • It’s often easier to collect these documents before you leave the US, so you have them ready for your visa appointment.
  • It’s generally better for foreign nationals to return to their home country when they apply for a new visa.

Option two: Apply to USCIS

The second option is to apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) while you’re in the US. You can stay in the US while you wait for your application to be processed, as long as you file it on time.

  • Your current visa must be valid when USCIS receives your application.
  • Once they receive it, you may need to keep your current visa status while they’re processing your application. This can be challenging, depending on your eligibility and the permissions of your current visa.
  • Delays or busy application periods may affect your ability to start your new program or activity. This can cause serious problems if you need to meet certain academic or employment deadlines. You should talk about these factors in detail with ISO and/or an immigration lawyer.
  • Note: This option is not always available to certain people, especially B-1/B-2 visitors, and exchange visitors (either J-1 or J-2) who are subject to the 212(e) two-year home residency requirement.

There are two different ways you can apply to USCIS: Online, or by mail.

  1. Applying online: Check your availability to file online through USCIS.gov.
  2. Applying by mail: Review USCIS instructions for completing the application.

Impact on travel plans

If you have to travel outside the United States while your Change of Status application is pending, you must stay long enough to apply for the appropriate visa stamp before returning to the US. This is usually best done in your home country.

Once the Change of Status is filed with USCIS, it may take several months to receive a decision. During this time, any travel outside the United States will be viewed as an abandonment of the application and may result in significant problems or delays in changing your immigration status. Please discuss your situation with ISO and plan accordingly.

Even if your Change of Status application is approved, you’ll still need to get a visa stamp if you travel outside the US in the future. You must have the visa stamp before you can re-enter the US and resume your current program or activity.

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